Method, apparatus, data structure and system for evaluating the impact of proposed actions on an entity's strategic objectives

Abstract

A system and method for tangibly evaluating the impact that proposed daily or long term actions would have on an entity's strategic objectives, or other business goals, prior to implementing those proposed actions is provided by forecasting the probable results of those proposed actions and comparing them to the forecasted results of the existing planned actions. The invention also includes a provision to evaluate the impact of any proposed changes in terms of the changes' offsetting tradeoff impacts. The invention also includes the provision to limit the ability of different users of the system to over-ride the recommended actions based upon the individual user's authority level, based upon the expected results of the proposed actions and/or based upon the tradeoff results on the tradeoff threshold limits. In addition, all of the results and/or limits can be setup as a set of ranges to work within as opposed to just target values.

1 . A method for determining if proposed modifications to existing planned activities are supportive of and consistent with an entity's strategic objective, comprising the steps of: 
 a. defining the strategic objectives;    b. prioritizing the said strategic objectives;    c. selecting the primary strategic objective;    d. selecting and saving a desired target value for the said primary strategic objective;    e. identifying the possible measures for the said primary strategic objective;    f. selecting the primary strategic objective measure;    g. determining the formula for calculating the said primary strategic objective measure if the said primary strategic objective measure does not already exist and saving the said formula for calculating the said primary strategic objective measure;    h. temporarily modify the original databases to assume that the work or activity yet to be completed has been completed over a planning period and saving the modified databases;    i. calculate the first expected results using the said modified databases as measured by the said primary strategic objective measure over the said planning period and saving the said first expected results;    j. create an interactive version of the said original unmodified databases wherein users are allowed to modify the said interactive databases;    k. use the said modified interactive databases to calculate the second expected results caused by the said interactive database modifications as measured by the said primary strategic objective measure for the said planning period and temporarily save the said second expected results;    l. compare the said first expected results with said second expected results to determine if the said modifications to the said interactive database caused an improvement, a deterioration or was impact neutral to the said strategic objective target value and temporarily save the said comparison result;    m. save the said modifications to the said interactive databases into the said original databases if the said second expected results or the result of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results was an improvement to achieving the said strategic objective target value;    n. do not save the said modifications to the said interactive databases into the said original databases if the said second expected results or the result of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results was a detriment to achieving the said strategic objective target value;    o. save or not save, the choice of saving or not saving to be determined by the said entity, the said modifications to the said interactive databases into the said original databases if the said second expected results or the results of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results was impact neutral to achieving the said strategic objective target value; and    p. periodically save the said modifications to the said interactive database into the said modified database and into the said interactive database if the said modifications were stored in the said original databases and repeating steps h, i, j, k, l, m, n and o above.    
     
     
         2 . A method as recited in  claim 1  [c 1 ], wherein said method comprises: 
 a. identifying the tradeoffs to the said primary strategic objective;    b. prioritizing the said tradeoffs;    c. selecting the primary tradeoff;    d. identifying the possible primary tradeoff measures;    e. selecting a primary tradeoff measure and saving the formula for calculating the said primary tradeoff measure;    f. selecting the allowable tradeoff threshold limit for the said primary tradeoff measure and saving said allowable tradeoff threshold limit;    g. calculate the first expected tradeoff results as measured by the said primary tradeoff measure using the said modified databases and save the said first expected tradeoff result;    h. calculate the second expected tradeoff results as measured by the said primary tradeoff measure using the said modified interactive databases and save the said second expected tradeoff result;    i. compare the said first expected tradeoff result with the said second tradeoff result to determine if the modifications to the said interactive databases caused an improvement, a deterioration or was impact neutral to the said first tradeoff result and store the said the result of the said comparison between the said first expected tradeoff result and the said second expected tradeoff result;    j. save the said modifications to the said interactive databases into the said original databases if the said second expected result or the results of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results was an improvement to achieving the said strategic objective target value and if the said second expected tradeoff result or the result of the said comparison between the said first expected tradeoff result and the said second expected tradeoff result did not violate the said allowable tradeoff threshold limit;    k. do not save the said modification to the said interactive databases into the said original databases if the said second expected results or the result of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results was a detriment to achieving the said strategic objective target value or if the said second tradeoff result or the result of the said comparison between the said first expected tradeoff result and the said second expected tradeoff result violated the said allowable tradeoff threshold limit; and    l. save or not save, the choice of saving or not saving to be determined by the said entity, the said modifications to the said interactive databases into the said original databases if the said second expected results or the result of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results was impact neutral to achieving the said strategic objective target value and if the said second expected tradeoff results or the result of the said comparison between the said first expected tradeoff result and the said second expected tradeoff result was impact neutral to the said allowable tradeoff threshold limit.    
     
     
         3 . A method as recited in  claim 1  [c 1 ], wherein the said method comprises: 
 a. setting an allowable range for the said strategic objectives target value and saving the said allowable strategic objective range;    b. saving the said modifications to the said interactive databases into the said original databases if the said second expected result or the result of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results was an improvement to achieving the said allowable strategic objective range;    c. not saving the said modifications to the said interactive databases into the said original databases if the said second expected results or the result of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results was a detriment to achieving the said allowable strategic objective range; and    d. saving or not saving, the choice of saving or not saving to be determined by the said entity, the said modifications to the said interactive databases into the said original databases if the said second expected results or the result of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results was impact neutral to achieving the said allowable strategic objective range.    
     
     
         4 . A method as recited in  claim 2  [c 2 ], wherein the said method comprises: 
 a. setting an allowable range for the said allowable tradeoff threshold limit and saving the said allowable tradeoff threshold range;    b. saving the said modifications to the said interactive databases into the said original databases if the said second expected result or the result of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results was an improvement to achieving the said strategic objective target value and if the said second expected tradeoff result or the result of the said comparison between the said first expected tradeoff result and the said second expected tradeoff result did not violate the said allowable tradeoff threshold range;    c. not saving the said modifications to the said interactive databases into the said original databases if the said second expected results or the result of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results was a detriment to achieving the said strategic objective target value or if the said second expected tradeoff result or the result of the said comparison between the said first expected tradeoff result and the said second expected tradeoff result violated the said allowable tradeoff threshold range; and    d. saving or not saving, the choice of saving or not saving to be determined by the said entity, the said modifications to the said interactive databases into the said original databases if the said second expected results or the result of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results was impact neutral to achieving the said strategic objective target value and if the said second expected tradeoff results or the result of the said comparison between the said first expected tradeoff result and the said second expected tradeoff result was impact neutral to the said allowable tradeoff threshold range.    
     
     
         5 . A method as recited in  claim 2  [c 2 ], wherein the said method comprises: 
 a. setting an allowable range for the said strategic objective target value and saving the said allowable strategic objective range;    b. setting an allowable range for the said tradeoff threshold limit and storing the said allowable tradeoff threshold range;    c. saving the said modifications to the said interactive databases in the said original databases if the said second expected results or the result of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected was an improvement to achieving the said allowable strategic objective range and if the said second expected tradeoff result or the result of the said comparison between the said first expected tradeoff result and the said second expected tradeoff result did not violate the said allowable tradeoff threshold range;    d. not saving the said modifications to the said interactive databases into the said original databases if the said second expected results or the result of the said comparison between the first expected results and the second expected result was a detriment to achieving the said allowable strategic objective range or the said second expected tradeoff result or the result of the said comparison between the said first expected tradeoff result and the said second expected tradeoff result violated the said allowable tradeoff threshold range; and    e. saving or not saving, the choice of saving or not saving to be determined by the said entity, the said modifications to the said interactive databases into the said original databases if the said second expected results or the result of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results was impact neutral to achieving the said allowable strategic objective range and if the said second expected tradeoff result or the result of the said comparison between the said first expected tradeoff result and the said second expected tradeoff result were impact neutral to the said allowable tradeoff threshold range.    
     
     
         6 . A method as recited in  claim 1  [c 1 ], wherein said method comprises: 
 a. establishing and saving the different users and/or user levels for the said entity and the different authority levels associated to each said user and/or said user level, said authority levels having associated with them an amount or magnitude of allowable strategic objective impact a said user or said user level is authorized to implement;    b. saving the said modifications to the said interactive databases into the said original databases if the said second expected result or the result of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results was an improvement to achieving the said strategic objective target value and if the amount or magnitude of the said second expected results or the amount or magnitude of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results are within the said authority level of the said user or said user level as defined by the said allowable strategic objective impact;    c. not saving the said modifications to the said interactive databases into the said original databases if the said second expected results or the result of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results was a detriment to achieving the said strategic objective target value or if the amount or magnitude of the said second expected results or the amount or magnitude of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results are not within the said authority level of the said user or said user level as defined by the said allowable strategic objective impact; and    d. saving or not saving, the choice of saving or not saving to be determined by the said entity, the said modifications to the said interactive databases into the said original databases if the said second expected results or the result of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results was impact neutral to achieving the said strategic objective target value and if the amount or magnitude of the said second expected results or the amount or magnitude of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results are impact neutral based upon the said allowable strategic objective impact associated with the said authority level of the said user or said user level.    
     
     
         7 . A method as recited in  claim 2  [c 2 ], wherein said method comprises: 
 a. establishing and saving the different users and/or user levels for the said entity and the different authority levels associated to each said user and/or said user level, said authority levels having associated with them an amount or magnitude of allowable strategic objective impact a said user or said user level is authorized to implement and an amount or magnitude of allowable tradeoff impact a said user or said user level is authorized to implement;    b. saving the said modifications to the said interactive databases into the said original databases if the said second expected results or the result of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results was an improvement to achieving the said strategic objective target value and if the said second expected tradeoff result or the result of the said comparison between the said first expected tradeoff result and the said second expected tradeoff result did not violate the said allowable tradeoff threshold limit and if the amount or magnitude of the said second expected results or the amount or magnitude of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results are within the said authority level of the said user or said user level as defined by the said allowable strategic objective impact and if the amount or magnitude of the said second tradeoff result or the amount or magnitude of the said comparison between the said first tradeoff result and the said second tradeoff result was within the said authority level of the said user or said user level as defined by the said allowable tradeoff impact;    c. not saving the said modifications to the said interactive databases into the said original databases if the said second expected results or the result of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results was a deterioration to achieving the said strategic objective target value or if the said second expected tradeoff result or the result of the said comparison between the said first expected tradeoff result and the said second expected tradeoff result violated the said allowable tradeoff threshold limit or if the amount or magnitude of the said second expected results or the amount or magnitude of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results are not within the said authority level of the said user or said user level as defined by the said allowable strategic objective impact or if the amount or magnitude of the said second tradeoff result or the amount or magnitude of the said comparison between the said first tradeoff result and the said second tradeoff result was not within the said authority level of the said user or said user level as defined by the said allowable tradeoff impact; and    d. saving or not saving, the choice saving or not saving to be determined by the said entity, the said modifications to the said interactive databases into the said original databases if the said second expected results or the results of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results was impact neutral to achieving the said strategic objective target value and if the said second tradeoff result or the result of the said comparison between the said first expected tradeoff result and the said second expected tradeoff result was impact neutral to the said allowable tradeoff threshold limit and if the amount or magnitude of the said second expected results or the amount or magnitude of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results are impact neutral based upon the said allowable strategic objective impact associated with the said authority level of the said user or said user level and if the amount or magnitude of the said second tradeoff result or the amount or magnitude of the said comparison between the said first tradeoff result and the said second tradeoff result is impact neutral based upon the said allowable tradeoff impact associated with the said authority level of the said user or said user level.    
     
     
         8 . A method as recited in  claim 3  [c 3 ], wherein said method comprises: 
 a. establishing and saving the different users and/or user levels for the said entity and the different authority levels associated to each said user and/or said user level, said authority levels having associated with them an amount or magnitude of allowable strategic objective impact a said user or said user level is authorized to implements;    b. saving the said modifications to the said interactive databases into the said original databases if the said second expected results or the results of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results falls within the said allowable strategic objective range and if the amount or magnitude of the said second expected results or the amount or magnitude of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results are within the said authority level of the said user or said user level as defined by the said allowable strategic objective impact;    c. not saving the said modifications to the said interactive databases into the said original databases if the said second expected results or the results of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results falls outside of the said allowable strategic objective range or if the amount or magnitude of the said second expected results or the amount or magnitude of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results are not within the said authority level of the said user or said user level as defined by the said allowable strategic objective impact; and    d. saving or not saving, the choice of saving or not saving to be determined by the said entity, the said modifications to the said interactive databases into the said original databases if the said second expected results or the results of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results are impact neutral to the said allowable strategic objective range and if the amount or magnitude of the said second expected results or the amount or magnitude of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results are impact neutral based upon the said allowable strategic objective impact associated with the said authority level of the said user or said user level.    
     
     
         9 . A method as recited in  claim 4  [c 4 ], wherein said method includes the steps of: 
 a. establishing and saving the different users and/or user levels for the said entity and the different authority levels associated to each said user and/or said user level, said authority levels having associated with them an amount or magnitude of allowable strategic objective impact a said user or said user level is authorized to implement and an amount or magnitude of allowable tradeoff impact a said user or said user level is authorized to implement;    b. saving the said modifications to the said interactive databases into the said original databases if the said second expected results or the results of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results was an improvement to achieving the said strategic objective target value and if the said second expected tradeoff result or the result of the said comparison between the said first expected tradeoff result and the said second expected tradeoff result did not violate the said allowable tradeoff range and if the amount or magnitude of the said second expected results or the amount or magnitude of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results was within said authority level of the said user or said user level as defined by the said allowable strategic objective impact and if the amount or magnitude of the said second expected tradeoff result or the amount or magnitude of the said comparison between the said first expected tradeoff result and the said second expected tradeoff result was within the said authority level of the said user or said user level as defined by the said allowable tradeoff impact;    c. not saving the said modifications to the said interactive databases into the said original databases if the said second expected results or if the results of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results was a detriment to achieving the said strategic objective target value or if the said second expected tradeoff result or the result of the said comparison between the said first expected tradeoff result and the said second expected tradeoff result violated the said allowable tradeoff range or if the amount or magnitude of the said second expected results or the amount or magnitude of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results was not within the said authority level of the said user or said user level as defined by the said allowable strategic objective impact or if the amount or magnitude of the said second expected tradeoff result or the amount or magnitude of the said comparison between the said first expected tradeoff result and the said second expected tradeoff result was not within the said authority level of the said user or said user level as defined by the said allowable tradeoff impact; and    d. saving or not saving, the choice of saving or not saving to be determined by the said entity, the said modifications to the said interactive databases into the said original databases if the said second expected results or the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results was impact neutral to the said strategic objective target value and if the said second expected tradeoff result or the result of the said comparison between the said first expected tradeoff result and the said second expected tradeoff result is impact neutral to the said allowable tradeoff range and if the amount or magnitude of the said second expected results or the amount or magnitude of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results are impact neutral based upon the said allowable strategic objective impact associated with the said authority level of the said user or said user level and if the amount or magnitude of the said second expected tradeoff result or the amount or magnitude of the said comparison between the said first expected tradeoff result and the said second expected tradeoff result is impact neutral based upon the said allowable tradeoff impact associated with the said authority level of the said user or said user level.    
     
     
         10 . A method as recited in  claim 5  [c 5 ], wherein said method includes the steps of: 
 a. establishing and saving the different users and/or user levels for the said entity and the different authority levels associated to each said user and/or said user level, said authority levels having associated with them an amount or magnitude of allowable strategic objective impact a said user or said user level is authorized to implement and an amount or magnitude of allowable tradeoff impact a said user or said user level is authorized to implement;    b. saving the said modifications to the said interactive databases into the said original databases if the said second expected results or the results of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results falls within the said allowable strategic objective range and if the said second expected tradeoff result or the result of the said comparison between the said first expected tradeoff result and the said second expected tradeoff result did not violate the said allowable tradeoff range and if the amount or magnitude of the said second expected results or the amount or magnitude of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results are within the said authority level of the said user or said user level as defined by the said allowable strategic objective impact and if the amount or magnitude of the said second expected tradeoff result or the amount or magnitude of the said comparison between the said first expected tradeoff result and the said second expected tradeoff result was within the said authority level of the said user or said user level as defined by the said allowable tradeoff impact;    c. not saving the said modifications to the said interactive databases into the said original databases if the said second expected results or the results of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results falls outside of the said allowable strategic objective range or if the said second expected tradeoff result or the result of the said comparison between the said first expected tradeoff result and the said second expected tradeoff result violated the said allowable tradeoff range or if the amount or magnitude of the said second expected results or the amount or magnitude of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results are not within the said authority level of the said user or said user level as defined by the said allowable strategic objective impact or if the amount or magnitude of the said second expected tradeoff result or the amount or magnitude of the said comparison between the said first expected tradeoff result and the said second expected tradeoff result was not within the said authority level of the said user or said user level as defined by the said allowable tradeoff impact; and    d. saving or not saving, the choice of saving or not saving to be determined by the said entity, the said modifications to the said interactive databases into the said original databases if the said second expected results or the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results was impact neutral to the said allowable strategic objective range and if the said second expected tradeoff result or the result of the said comparison between the said first expected tradeoff result and the said second expected tradeoff result was impact neutral to the said allowable tradeoff range and if the amount or magnitude of the said second expected results or the amount or magnitude of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results are impact neutral based upon the said allowable strategic objective impact associated with the said authority level of the said user or said user level and if the amount or magnitude of the said second expected tradeoff result or the amount or magnitude of the said comparison between the said first expected tradeoff result and the said second expected tradeoff result are impact neutral based upon the said allowable tradeoff impact associated with the said authority level of the said user or said user level.    
     
     
         11 . A method as in any one of the preceding claims [c 1 ][c 2 ][c 3 ][c 4 ] [c 5 ][c 6 ][c 7 ][c 8 ][c 9 ][c 10 ], in which the said modifications to the said original databases are tracked by each said user, and said improvements and detriments to said strategic objective target values and/or said tradeoff limits are used to tangibly evaluate said user's performance and/or used to compensate and/or reward the said user for supporting the said strategic objective of the company.  
     
     
         12 . A apparatus for determining if proposed modifications to existing planned activities are supportive of and consistent with an entity's strategic objective, wherein said apparatus includes: 
 a. user interface devices and modules operatively coupled to said apparatus;    b. a memory that stores databases and computer-readable code;    c. said databases including the original databases, modified original databases, interactive version of the said original databases and modified interactive databases;    d. a processor operatively coupled to said memory, said processor configured to implement said computer-readable code, said code configured to: 
 i. receive, load and store a desired target value for a primary strategic objective into the said memory or storage medium of the said apparatus, said apparatus having containing or access to the said entity's said databases and MIS;  
 ii. receive, load and store the calculation for a said entity's primary strategic objective measure in the said memory or storage medium of the said apparatus;  
 iii. modify the said existing planned activities not yet completed to be temporarily assumed to be completed over a planning period and temporarily store the said activity that is assumed completed in the said modified original databases in the said memory or storage medium of the said apparatus;  
 iv. execute the said MIS, or a duplicate version of the said MIS, over the said planning period using the said modified original databases to calculate the first expected strategic objective results as measured by the said primary strategic objective measure calculation and store the said first expected results in the said memory or storage medium of the said apparatus;  
 v. allow users to interact with the said interactive database version of the said original databases in order to modify the said interactive databases and store the said modified interactive databases temporarily in the said memory or storage medium of the said apparatus;  
 vi. execute the said MIS, or a duplicate version of the said MIS over the said planning period using the said modified interactive databases to calculate the second expected results as measured by the said primary strategic objective measure calculation and store the said second expected results in said memory or storage medium of the said apparatus;  
 vii. compare the said first expected results with the said second expected results to determine if the said modifications to the said modified interactive database when compared to the said modified original databases resulted in improvements, deterioration or was impact neutral to the said strategic objective target value and store and/or output of the said comparison to the said memory, said storage medium and/or output devices of the said apparatus;  
 viii. over-write the said original databases by loading and storing the said modifications to the said interactive databases into the said original databases and/or the said MIS in the said memory or storage medium of the said apparatus if the said second expected results or the results of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results indicated improvements over the said first expected results to the said strategic objective target value;  
 ix. prevent the said original databases in the said memory or storage medium of the said apparatus from being over-written with the said modifications in the said modified interactive databases if the said second expected results or the results of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results indicated a deterioration from the said first expected results to the strategic objective target value; and  
 x. either over-write or not over-write the said original databases in the said memory or storage medium of the said apparatus, the choice of over-writing or not over-writing to be determined by the said entity, with the said modifications to the said modified interactive databases if the said second expected results or the results of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results are impact neutral to the said first expected results and to the said strategic objective target value.  
   
     
     
         13 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 12  [c 12 ], wherein the said code is configured to: 
 a. receive, load and store in the said memory or storage medium of the said apparatus a said entity's primary tradeoff measure calculation;    b. receive, load and store in said memory or storage medium of the said apparatus an allowable tradeoff threshold limit;    c. execute the said MIS, or a duplicate version of the said MIS, to calculate the first expected tradeoff result, using the said modified original databases for the said planning period, as measured by the said primary tradeoff measure calculation, and load and store in the said memory or storage medium of the said apparatus the said first expected tradeoff result;    d. execute the said MIS, or a duplicate version of the said MIS, to calculate the second expected tradeoff result, using the said modified interactive databases for the said planning period, as measured by the said primary tradeoff measure calculation, and load and store in the said memory or storage medium of the said apparatus the said second expected tradeoff result;    e. compare the said first expected tradeoff result with the said second expected tradeoff result to determine the tradeoff impact the said modifications to the said interactive databases had on the said first expected tradeoff result and load and store the said tradeoff impact into the said memory or storage medium of the said apparatus;    f. over-write the said original databases in the said memory or storage medium of the said apparatus with the said modifications to the said interactive databases if the said second expected results or the results of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results indicated improvements over the said first expected results to achieving the strategic objective target value and if the said tradeoff impact or the said second expected tradeoff result does not violate the said allowable tradeoff threshold limit;    g. prevent the said modifications to the said interactive databases from over-writing the said original databases in the said memory or storage medium of the said apparatus if the said second expected results or the results of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results indicated deterioration from the said first expected results to the said strategic objective target value or if the said tradeoff impact or the said second expected tradeoff result violates the said allowable tradeoff threshold limit; and    h. over-write or not over-write the said original databases in the said memory or storage medium of the said apparatus, the choice of over-writing or not over-writing to be determined by the said entity, with the said modifications to the said modified interactive databases if the said second expected results or the results of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results are impact neutral to the said first expected results and to the said strategic objective target value and if the said tradeoff impact or the said second expected tradeoff result is impact neutral to the said allowable tradeoff threshold limit.    
     
     
         14 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 12  [c 12 ], wherein the said code is configured to: 
 a. receive, load and store preset allowable ranges for the said strategic objectives target value in the said memory or storage medium of the said apparatus that contains or has access to the said databases and said MIS;    b. over-write the said original databases in the said memory or storage medium of the said apparatus with the said modifications to the said interactive databases if the said second expected result or the results of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results falls within the said allowable strategic objective range;    c. prevent the said modifications to the said interactive databases from over-writing the said original databases in the said memory or storage medium of the said apparatus if the said second expected results or the results of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results falls outside of the said strategic objective measure allowable range; and    d. over-write or not over-write the said original databases in the said memory or storage medium of the said apparatus, the choice of over-writing or not over-writing to be determined by the said entity, with the said modifications to the said interactive databases if the said second expected results or the results of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results was impact neutral to the said strategic objective allowable range.    
     
     
         15 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 13  [c 13 ], wherein the said code is configured to: 
 a. receive, load and store preset ranges for the said allowable tradeoff threshold limit in the said memory or storage medium of the said apparatus;    b. over-write the said original databases in the said memory or storage medium of the said apparatus with the said modifications to the said interactive databases if the said second expected results or the results of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results indicated improvements over the said first expected results and to the said strategic objective target value and if the said second expected tradeoff result or the result of the said comparison between the said first expected tradeoff result and the said second expected tradeoff result did not violate the said allowable tradeoff threshold range;    c. prevent the said modifications to the said interactive databases from over-writing the said original databases in the said memory or storage medium of the said apparatus if the said second expected results or the results of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results indicated deterioration to the said first expected results and to the said strategic objective target value or if the said second expected tradeoff results or the result of the said comparison between the said first expected tradeoff result and the said second expected tradeoff result violates the said allowable tradeoff threshold range; and    d. over-write or not over-write the said original databases in the said memory or storage medium of the said apparatus, the choice of over-writing or not over-writing to be determined by the said entity, with the said modifications to the said interactive databases if the said second expected results or the results of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results are impact neutral to the said first expected results and to the said strategic objective target value and if the said second tradeoff results or the result of the said comparison between the said first expected tradeoff result and the said second expected tradeoff result were impact neutral to the said allowable tradeoff threshold range.    
     
     
         16 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 13  [c 13 ], wherein said code is configured to: 
 a. receive, load and store preset ranges for the said allowable tradeoff threshold limit in the said memory or storage medium of the said apparatus that contains or has access to the entity's said databases and said MIS;    b. receive, load and store preset ranges for the said strategic objective target value in the said memory or storage medium of the said apparatus;    c. over-write the said original databases in the said memory or storage medium of the said apparatus with the said modifications to the said interactive databases if the said second expected result or the results of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results falls within the said allowable strategic objective range and if the said second expected tradeoff result or the result of the said comparison between the said first expected tradeoff result and the said second expected tradeoff result did not violate the said tradeoff threshold measure range;    d. preventing the said modifications to the said interactive databases from over-writing the said original databases in the said memory or storage medium of the said apparatus if the said second expected results or the result of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results falls outside of the said allowable strategic objective range or if the said second expected tradeoff result or the result of the said comparison between the said first expected tradeoff result and the said second expected tradeoff result violated the said tradeoff threshold measure range; and    e. over-write or not over-write the said original databases in the said memory or storage medium of the said apparatus, the choice of over-writing or not over-writing to be determined by the said entity, with the said modifications to the said interactive databases if the said second expected results or the result of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results was impact neutral to the said allowable strategic objective range and if the said second expected tradeoff results or the result of the said comparison between the said first expected tradeoff result and the said second expected tradeoff result were impact neutral to the said allowable tradeoff threshold range.    
     
     
         17 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 12  [c 12 ], wherein the said code is configured to: 
 a. receive, load and store differing users and/or user levels for the said entity and the different authority levels associated to each said user and/or said user level, said authority levels having associated with them an amount or magnitude of allowable strategic objective impact that a said user or said user level is authorized to implement;    b. store the said modifications to the said interactive databases into the said original databases if the said second expected result or the result of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results was an improvement to achieving the said strategic objective target value and if the amount or magnitude of the said second expected results or the amount or magnitude of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results are within the said authority level of the said user or said user level as defined by the said allowable strategic objective impact;    c. not storing the said modifications to the said interactive databases into the said original databases if the said second expected results or the result of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results was a detriment to achieving the said strategic objective target value or if the amount or magnitude of the said second expected results or the amount or magnitude of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results are not within the said authority level of the said user or said user level as defined by the said allowable strategic objective impact; and    d. storing or not storing, the choice of storing or not storing to be determined by the said entity, the said modifications to the said interactive databases into the said original databases if the said second expected results or the result of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results was impact neutral to achieving the said strategic objective target value and if the amount or magnitude of the said second expected results or the amount or magnitude of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results are impact neutral based upon the said allowable strategic objective impact associated with the said authority level of the said user or said user level.    
     
     
         18 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 13  [c 13 ], wherein said code is configured to: 
 a. load and store differing authority levels associated with an amount or magnitude of allowable impact to the said strategic objective measure, as measured by the said primary strategic objective measure, that different said users, or users levels, are authorized to direct the said code to over-write the said original databases with the said modified interactive databases based upon the said authority level of the said user, or said user level, and based upon the said allowable impact associated with the said authority level as compared to either the said second expected results or the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results and with an amount or magnitude of allowable impact to the said tradeoff measure, as measured by the said primary tradeoff measure, that different said users or said user levels, are authorized to direct said code to over-write the said original databases with the said modified interactive databases based upon the said authority level of the said user, or said user level, and based upon the said amount of allowable impact associated with the said authority level as compared to either the second expected tradeoff result or the said comparison between the said first expected tradeoff results and the said second expected tradeoff results;    b. storing the said modifications to the said interactive databases into the said original databases if the said second expected results or the result of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results was an improvement to achieving the said strategic objective target value and if the said second expected tradeoff result or the result of the said comparison between the said first expected tradeoff result and the said second expected tradeoff result did not violate the said allowable tradeoff threshold limit and if the amount or magnitude of the said second expected results or the amount or magnitude of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results are within the said authority level of the said user or said user level as defined by the said allowable strategic objective impact and if the amount or magnitude of the said second tradeoff result or the amount or magnitude of the said comparison between the said first tradeoff result and the said second tradeoff result was within the said authority level of the said user or said user level as defined by the said allowable tradeoff impact;    c. not storing the said modifications to the said interactive databases into the said original databases if the said second expected results or the result of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results was a deterioration to achieving the said strategic objective target value or if the said second expected tradeoff result or the result of the said comparison between the said first expected tradeoff result and the said second expected tradeoff result violated the said allowable tradeoff threshold limit or if the amount or magnitude of the said second expected results or the amount or magnitude of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results are not within the said authority level of the said user or said user level as defined by the said allowable strategic objective impact or if the amount or magnitude of the said second tradeoff result or the amount or magnitude of the said comparison between the said first tradeoff result and the said second tradeoff result was not within the said authority level of the said user or said user level as defined by the said allowable tradeoff impact; and    d. storing or not storing, the choice storing or not storing to be determined by the said entity, the said modifications to the said interactive databases into the said original databases if the said second expected results or the results of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results was impact neutral to achieving the said strategic objective target value and if the said second tradeoff result or the result of the said comparison between the said first expected tradeoff result and the said second expected tradeoff result was impact neutral to the said allowable tradeoff threshold limit and if the amount or magnitude of the said second expected results or the amount or magnitude of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results are impact neutral based upon the said allowable strategic objective impact associated with the said authority level of the said user or said user level and if the amount or magnitude of the said second tradeoff result or the amount or magnitude of the said comparison between the said first tradeoff result and the said second tradeoff result is impact neutral based upon the said allowable tradeoff impact associated with the said authority level of the said user or said user level.    
     
     
         19 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 14  [c 14 ], wherein said code is configured to: 
 a. load and store differing authority levels associated with an amount or magnitude of allowable impact, as measured by the said primary strategic objective measure, that different said users, or users levels, are authorized to direct the said code to over-write the said original databases with the said modified interactive databases based upon the said authority level of the said user, or said user level, and the said allowable impact associated with the said authority level as compared to either the said second expected results or the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results;    b. storing the said modifications to the said interactive databases into the said original databases if the said second expected results or the results of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results falls within the said allowable strategic objective range and if the amount or magnitude of the said second expected results or the amount or magnitude of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results are within the said authority level of the said user or said user level as defined by the said allowable strategic objective impact;    c. not storing the said modifications to the said interactive databases into the said original databases if the said second expected results or the results of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results falls outside of the said allowable strategic objective range or if the amount or magnitude of the said second expected results or the amount or magnitude of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results are not within the said authority level of the said user or said user level as defined by the said allowable strategic objective impact; and    d. storing or not storing, the choice of storing or not storing to be determined by the said entity, the said modifications to the said interactive databases into the said original databases if the said second expected results or the results of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results are impact neutral to the said allowable strategic objective range and if the amount or magnitude of the said second expected results or the amount or magnitude of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results are impact neutral based upon the said allowable strategic objective impact associated with the said authority level of the said user or said user level.    
     
     
         20 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 15  [c 15 ], wherein said code is configured to: 
 a. load and store differing authority levels associated with an amount or magnitude of allowable impact to the said strategic objective measure, as measured by the said primary strategic objective measure, that different said users, or users levels, are authorized to direct the said code to over-write the said original databases with the said modified interactive databases based upon the said authority level of the said user, or said user level, and based upon the said allowable impact associated with the said authority level as compared to either the said second expected results or the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results and with an amount or magnitude of allowable impact to the said tradeoff measure, as measured by the said primary tradeoff measure, that different said users or said user levels, are authorized to direct said code to over-write the said original databases with the said modified interactive databases based upon the said authority level of the said user, or said user level, and based upon the said amount of allowable impact associated with the said authority level as compared to either the second expected tradeoff result or the said comparison between the said first expected tradeoff results and the said second expected tradeoff results;    b. storing the said modifications to the said interactive databases into the said original databases if the said second expected results or the results of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results was an improvement to achieving the said strategic objective target value and if the said second expected tradeoff result or the result of the said comparison between the said first expected tradeoff result and the said second expected tradeoff result did not violate the said allowable tradeoff range and if the amount or magnitude of the said second expected results or the amount or magnitude of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results was within said authority level of the said user or said user level as defined by the said allowable strategic objective impact and if the amount or magnitude of the said second expected tradeoff result or the amount or magnitude of the said comparison between the said first expected tradeoff result and the said second expected tradeoff result was within the said authority level of the said user or said user level as defined by the said allowable tradeoff impact;    c. not storing the said modifications to the said interactive databases into the said original databases if the said second expected results or if the results of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results was a detriment to achieving the said strategic objective target value or if the said second expected tradeoff result or the result of the said comparison between the said first expected tradeoff result and the said second expected tradeoff result violated the said allowable tradeoff range or if the amount or magnitude of the said second expected results or the amount or magnitude of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results was not within the said authority level of the said user or said user level as defined by the said allowable strategic objective impact or if the amount or magnitude of the said second expected tradeoff result or the amount or magnitude of the said comparison between the said first expected tradeoff result and the said second expected tradeoff result was not within the said authority level of the said user or said user level as defined by the said allowable tradeoff impact; and    d. storing or not storing, the choice of storing or not storing to be determined by the said entity, the said modifications to the said interactive databases into the said original databases if the said second expected results or the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results was impact neutral to the said strategic objective target value and if the said second expected tradeoff result or the result of the said comparison between the said first expected tradeoff result and the said second expected tradeoff result is impact neutral to the said allowable tradeoff range and if the amount or magnitude of the said second expected results or the amount or magnitude of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results are impact neutral based upon the said allowable strategic objective impact associated with the said authority level of the said user or said user level and if the amount or magnitude of the said second expected tradeoff result or the amount or magnitude of the said comparison between the said first expected tradeoff result and the said second expected tradeoff result is impact neutral based upon the said allowable tradeoff impact associated with the said authority level of the said user or said user level.    
     
     
         21 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 16  [c 16 ], wherein said code is configured to: 
 a. load and store differing authority levels associated with an amount or magnitude of allowable impact to the said strategic objective measure, as measured by the said primary strategic objective measure, that different said users, or users levels, are authorized to direct the said code to over-write the said original databases with the said modified interactive databases based upon the said authority level of the said user, or said user level, and based upon the said allowable impact associated with the said authority level as compared to either the said second expected results or the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results and with an amount or magnitude of allowable impact to the said tradeoff measure, as measured by the said primary tradeoff measure, that different said users or said user levels, are authorized to direct said code to over-write the said original databases with the said modified interactive databases based upon the said authority level of the said user, or said user level, and based upon the said amount of allowable impact associated with the said authority level as compared to either the second expected tradeoff result or the said comparison between the said first expected tradeoff results and the said second expected tradeoff results;    b. storing the said modifications to the said interactive databases into the said original databases if the said second expected results or the results of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results falls within the said allowable strategic objective range and if the said second expected tradeoff result or the result of the said comparison between the said first expected tradeoff result and the said second expected tradeoff result did not violate the said allowable tradeoff range and if the amount or magnitude of the said second expected results or the amount or magnitude of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results are within the said authority level of the said user or said user level as defined by the said allowable strategic objective impact and if the amount or magnitude of the said second expected tradeoff result or the amount or magnitude of the said comparison between the said first expected tradeoff result and the said second expected tradeoff result was within the said authority level of the said user or said user level as defined by the said allowable tradeoff impact;    c. not storing the said modifications to the said interactive databases into the said original databases if the said second expected results or the results of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results falls outside of the said allowable strategic objective range or if the said second expected tradeoff result or the result of the said comparison between the said first expected tradeoff result and the said second expected tradeoff result violated the said allowable tradeoff range or if the amount or magnitude of the said second expected results or the amount or magnitude of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results are not within the said authority level of the said user or said user level as defined by the said allowable strategic objective impact or if the amount or magnitude of the said second expected tradeoff result or the amount or magnitude of the said comparison between the said first expected tradeoff result and the said second expected tradeoff result was not within the said authority level of the said user or said user level as defined by the said allowable tradeoff impact; and    d. storing or not storing, the choice of storing or not storing to be determined by the said entity, the said modifications to the said interactive databases into the said original databases if the said second expected results or the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results was impact neutral to the said allowable strategic objective range and if the said second expected tradeoff result or the result of the said comparison between the said first expected tradeoff result and the said second expected tradeoff result was impact neutral to the said allowable tradeoff range and if the amount or magnitude of the said second expected results or the amount or magnitude of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results are impact neutral based upon the said allowable strategic objective impact associated with the said authority level of the said user or said user level and if the amount or magnitude of the said second expected tradeoff result or the amount or magnitude of the said comparison between the said first expected tradeoff result and the said second expected tradeoff result are impact neutral based upon the said allowable tradeoff impact associated with the said authority level of the said user or said user level.    
     
     
         22 . An apparatus as in one of claims  12  through  21  [c 12 ][c 13 ][c 14 ] [c 15 ][c 16 ][c 17 ][c 18 ][c 19 ][c 20 ][c 21 ] in which the said code is configured to track the said modifications to the said original databases by each said user and said improvements and detriments to said strategic objective target values and/or said tradeoff limits are used to tangibly evaluate said user's performance and/or used to compensate and/or reward the said user for supporting the said strategic objective of the entity.  
     
     
         23 . A computer program embodied on a computer-readable medium for comparing a forecast of the expected results caused by the existing planned activities and a forecast of the expected results of any planned changes to the said existing planned activities in terms of a strategic objective measure in order to determine if the said planned changes are supportive and consistent with an entity's strategic objective, comprising a data structure instantiating code segment that establishes a storage record in memory having: 
 a. a desired target value for the said strategic objective;    b. a formula for calculating the said strategic objective measure;    c. an original database, a modified original database containing data assumed completed over the upcoming planning period, an interactive database version of the original database and a modified interactive database that contains the said planned changes to the original database and the data in the said modified interactive database is assumed completed over the said planning period;    d. a first expected results from the said formula for the said strategic objective measure as determined from the said modified original database that contains the said existing planned activities over the said planning period;    e. a second expected results from the said formula for the said strategic objective measure as determined from the said modified interactive database that contains the said planned changes to the said existing planned activities over the said planning period;    f. a difference between the said first expected results and the said second expected results; and    g. a feature for modifying the said original database of the said existing planned activities with the said planned changes to the said existing planned activities in the said memory if the said differences between the said first expected results and the said second expected results is an improvement to the said strategic objective measure and/or said target value or if the said second expected result is an improvement to the said strategic objective measure and/or said target value.    
     
     
         24 . A computer program embodied on a computer-readable medium as recited in  claim 23  [c 23 ], wherein the said forecasts comprises a data structure instantiating code segment that establishes a storage record in memory having: 
 a. a tradeoff threshold measure;    b. a tradeoff threshold limit;    c. a first expected tradeoff result as determined from the said original database that contains the said existing planned activities;    d. a second expected tradeoff result as determined from the said modified databases that contains the said planned changes to the said existing planned activities;    e. a difference between the said first expected tradeoff result and the said second expected tradeoff result; and    f. a feature for modifying the said databases of the said existing planned activities with the said changed existing planned activities in the said memory if the said differences between the said first expected results and the said second expected results is an improvement to the said strategic objective measure and/or said target value or if the said second expected result is an improvement to the said strategic objective measure and/or the said target value and the said differences between the said first expected tradeoff results and the said second expected tradeoff results are positive or if the said second expected tradeoff result does not violate the said tradeoff threshold limit.    
     
     
         25 . A computer program embodied on a computer-readable medium as recited in  claim 23  [c 23 ], wherein the said forecast comprises a data structure instantiating code segment that establishes a storage record in memory having: 
 a. a range of acceptable strategic objective measures; and    b. a feature for modifying the said databases of the said existing planned activities with the said planned changes to the said existing planned activities in the said memory if the said differences between the said first expected results and the said second expected results are within the said range of acceptable strategic measures or if the said second expected result is are within the said range of the acceptable strategic measures.    
     
     
         26 . A computer program embodied on a computer-readable medium as recited in  claim 24  [c 24 ], wherein the said forecast comprises a data structure instantiating code segment that establishes a storage record in memory having: 
 a. a range of acceptable tradeoff threshold measures; and    b. a feature for modifying the said databases of the said existing planned activities with the said changed existing planned activities in the said memory if the said differences between the said first expected results and the said second expected results is an improvement to the said strategic objective measure or if the said second expected result is an improvement to the said strategic objective measure and/or the said target value and if the said differences between the said first expected tradeoff results and the said second expected tradeoff results or the said second expected tradeoff result is within the said range of acceptable tradeoff threshold measures.    
     
     
         27 . A computer program embodied on a computer-readable medium as recited in  claim 24  [c 24 ], wherein the said forecast comprises a data structure instantiating code segment that establishes a storage record in memory having: 
 a. a range of acceptable tradeoff threshold measures;    b. a range of acceptable strategic objective measures; and    c. a feature for modifying the said databases of the said existing planned activities with the said planned changes to the said existing planned activities in the said memory if the said differences between the said first expected results and the said second expected results or the said second expected result is within the said range of acceptable strategic objective measures and if the said differences between the said first expected tradeoff results and the said second expected tradeoff results or the said second expected tradeoff result are within the said range of acceptable tradeoff threshold measures.    
     
     
         28 . A computer program embodied on a computer-readable medium as recited in  claim 23  [c 23 ], wherein the said forecast comprises a data structure instantiating code segment that establishes a storage record in memory having: 
 a. a user specific authority level and/or user level authority level, said authority level having associated with them an amount or magnitude of allowable strategic impact a said user or said user level is authorized to implement; and    b. a feature for modifying the said databases of the said existing planned activities with the said planned changes to the said existing planned activities in the said memory if the said second expected results or the said differences between the said first expected results and the said second expected results are an improvement to the said strategic objective measure and/or the said target value and if the said amount or magnitude of change to the strategic objective measure is within the said user's authority level.    
     
     
         29 . A computer program embodied on a computer-readable medium as recited in  claim 24  [c 24 ], wherein the said forecast comprises a data structure instantiating code segment that establishes a storage record in memory having: 
 a. a user specific authority level and/or user level authority level, said authority level having associated with them an amount or magnitude of allowable strategic impact a said user or said user level is authorized to implement and an amount or magnitude of tradeoff threshold measure impact a said user or said user level has the authority to implement; and    b. a feature for modifying the said databases of the said existing planned activities with the said changes to the said existing planned activities if the impact of the said changes are within the said user's authority level and the said second expected results or the said difference between the said first expected results and the said second expected results are an improvement to the said strategic objective measure and/or the said target value and if the said differences between the said first expected tradeoff results and the said second expected tradeoff results or the said second expected tradeoff result does not violate the said tradeoff threshold limit.    
     
     
         30 . A computer program embodied on a computer-readable medium as recited in  claim 25  [c 25 ], wherein the said forecast comprises a data structure instantiating code segment that establishes a storage record in memory having; 
 a. user specific authority level and/or user level authority level, said authority level having associated with them an amount or magnitude of allowable strategic impact a said user or said user level is authorized to implement; and    b. a feature for modifying the said databases of the said existing planned activities with the said planned changes to the said existing planned activities if the said changes are within the said user's authority level and if the said second expected result or the said differences between the said first expected results and the said second expected results fall within the said allowable strategic objective ranges.    
     
     
         31 . A computer program embodied on a computer-readable medium as recited in  claim 26  [c 26 ], wherein the said forecast comprises a data structure instantiating code segment that establishes a storage record in memory having: 
 a. a user specific authority level and/or user level authority level, said authority level having associated with them an amount or magnitude of allowable strategic impact a said user or said user level is authorized to implement and an amount or magnitude of tradeoff threshold measure impact a said user or said user level has the authority to implement; and    b. a feature for modifying the said databases of the said existing planned activities with the said planned changes to the said existing planned activities if the said changes are within the said user's authority level and if the said second expected results or the said differences between the said first expected results and the said second expected results are an improvement to the said strategic objective measure and/or the said target value and if the said tradeoff measure or the said difference between the said first tradeoff measure and the said second tradeoff measure falls within the said tradeoff threshold ranges.    
     
     
         32 . A computer program embodied on a computer-readable medium as recited in  claim 27  [c 27 ], wherein the said forecast comprises a data structure instantiating code segment that establishes a storage record in memory having: 
 a. a user specific authority level and/or user level authority level, said authority level having associated with them an amount or magnitude of allowable strategic impact a said user or said user level is authorized to implement and an amount or magnitude of tradeoff threshold measure impact a said user or said user level has the authority to implement; and    b. a feature for modifying the said databases of the said existing planned activities the said changes to the said existing planned activities if the said second expected result or the said differences between the said first expected results and the said second expected results fall within the said allowable strategic objective ranges and if the said differences between the said first expected tradeoff results and the said second expected tradeoff results or the said second expected tradeoff result falls within the said tradeoff threshold ranges.    
     
     
         33 . A computer program embodied in a computer-readable medium as in one of claims  23  through  32  [c 23 ][c 24 ][c 25 ][c 26 ][c 27 ][c 28 ] [c 29 ][c 30 ][c 31 ][c 32 ] wherein the said forecast comprises a data structure instantiating code segment that establishes a storage record in memory having the said modifications to the said original databases associated by each said user, and said improvements and detriments to said strategic objective target values and/or said tradeoff limits are used to tangibly evaluate said user's performance and/or used to compensate and/or reward the said user for supporting the said strategic objective of the said entity.  
     
     
         34 . A device and system for determining if proposed modifications to existing planned activities are supportive of and consistent with an entity's strategic objective, said device and system comprising: 
 a. a means for receiving, loading and storing the code for calculating a strategic objective measure into the memory or storage device of a computer that contains or can access an entity's original databases and MIS if the said strategic objective measure does not already exist within the said databases or said MIS;    b. a means for receiving, loading and storing a desired target value for the said strategic objective measure into the said memory or storage medium of the said computer;    c. a means for temporarily modifying the said original databases to assume that the activities yet to be completed have been completed over a planning period and storing the said modified databases in the said memory or storage medium of the said computer;    d. a means for accessing the said MIS, or a copy of the said MIS, and utilizing the said modified databases to calculate the first expected results as measured by the said strategic objective measure over the said planning period and loading and storing the said first expected results in the said memory or storage medium of the said computer;    e. a means for loading and storing an interactive version of the said original databases in the said memory or storage medium of the said computer, wherein users are allowed to modify the said interactive databases and then temporarily storing the said modified interactive databases into the said memory or storage medium of the said computer;    f. a means for accessing the said MIS, or a copy of the said MIS, and utilizing the said modified interactive databases to calculate the second expected results as measured by the said strategic objective measure over the said planning period and loading and temporarily storing the said second expected results in the said memory or storage medium of the said computer;    g. a means for comparing the said first expected results with the said second expected results to determine if the said modifications to the said interactive databases caused an improvement, a deterioration or was impact neutral to achieving the said strategic objective target value and temporarily storing and/or outputting the said comparison in the said memory, said storage medium and/or output device of the said computer;    h. a means for accessing the said modifications to the said interactive databases and loading and storing the said modifications to the said interactive databases into the said original databases and/or the said MIS in the said memory or storage medium of the said computer if the said second expected results or the results of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results was an improvement to achieving the said strategic objective target value;    i. a means for preventing the said modifications to the said interactive databases from being loaded and stored in the said original databases and/or the said MIS in the said memory or storage medium of the said computer if the said second expected results or the results of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results was a detriment to the achievement of the said strategic objective target value;    j. a means for accessing the said modifications to the said interactive databases and either loading and storing or not loading and not storing, the choice of loading and storing or not loading and not storing to be determined by the said entity, the said modifications to the said interactive databases into the said original databases and/or the said MIS in the said memory or storage medium of the said computer if the said second expected results or the results of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results was impact neutral to achieving the said strategic objective target value; and    k. a means for periodically loading and storing the said modifications to the said interactive database into the said modified database and into the said interactive database if the said modifications were loaded and stored in the said original databases and repeating c, d, e, f, g, h, i, and j above.    
     
     
         35 . A device and system as recited in  claim 34  [c 34 ], wherein said device and system comprises: 
 a. a means for receiving a tradeoff measure calculation and loading and storing the code for calculating the said tradeoff measure into the said memory or storage medium of the said computer that contains or has access to the said entity's databases and said MIS;    b. a means for receiving an allowable tradeoff threshold limit for the said tradeoff measure and loading and storing said allowable tradeoff threshold limit into the said memory or storage medium of the said computer that contains or has access to the said entity's databases and said MIS;    c. a means for accessing the said MIS, or a copy of the said MIS, and utilizing the said modified databases to calculate the first expected tradeoff result as measured by the said tradeoff measure and loading and storing the said first expected tradeoff result into the said memory or storage medium of the said computer that contains or has access to the said entity's databases and said MIS;    d. a means for accessing the said MIS, or a copy of the said MIS, and utilizing the said modified interactive databases to calculate the second expected tradeoff result as measured by the said tradeoff measure and loading and storing the said second expected tradeoff result into the said memory or storage medium of the said computer that contains or has access to the said entity's databases and said MIS;    e. a means for comparing the said first expected tradeoff result with the said second expected tradeoff result to determine if the modifications to the said interactive databases caused an improvement, a deterioration or was impact neutral to the said first tradeoff result and loading and storing the said the result of the said comparison between the said first expected tradeoff result and the said second expected tradeoff result into the said memory, said storage medium and/or said output device of the said computer that contains or has access to the said entity's databases and said MIS;    f. a means for accessing the said modifications to the said interactive databases and loading and storing the said modifications to the said interactive databases into the said original databases and/or said MIS in the said memory or storage medium of the said computer if the said second expected results or the results of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results was an improvement to achieving the said strategic objective target value and if the said second expected tradeoff result or the result of the said comparison between the said first expected tradeoff result and the said second expected tradeoff result did not violate the said allowable tradeoff threshold limit;    g. a means for preventing the said modifications to the said interactive databases from being loaded and stored in the said original databases and/or said MIS in the said memory or storage medium of the said computer if the said second expected results or the results of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results was a detriment to achieving the said strategic objective target value or if the said second expected tradeoff result or the result of the said comparison between the said first expected tradeoff result and the said second expected tradeoff result violated the said allowable tradeoff threshold limit; and    h. a means for accessing the said modifications to the said interactive databases and either loading and storing or not loading and not storing, the choice of loading and storing or not loading and not storing to be determined by the said entity, the said modifications to the said interactive databases into the said original databases and/or the said MIS in the said memory or storage medium of the said computer if the said second expected results or the results of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results was impact neutral to achieving the said strategic objective target value and if the said second expected tradeoff result or the result of the said comparison between the said first expected tradeoff result and the said second expected tradeoff result were impact neutral to the said allowable tradeoff threshold limit.    
     
     
         36 . A device and system as recited in  claim 34  [c 34 ], wherein the said device and system comprises: 
 a. a means for receiving allowable ranges for the said strategic objective target value and loading and storing the said allowable strategic objective ranges in the said memory or storage medium of the said computer that contains or has access to the said entity's said databases and said MIS;    b. a means for accessing the said modifications to the said interactive databases and loading and storing the said modifications to the said interactive databases into the said original databases and/or said MIS in the said memory or storage medium of the said computer if the said second expected results or the results of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results falls within the said allowable strategic objective ranges;    c. a means for preventing the said modifications to the said interactive databases from being loaded and stored into the said original databases and/or the said MIS in the said memory or storage medium of the said computer if the said second expected results or the results of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results falls outside of the said allowable strategic objective ranges; and    d. a means for loading and storing or not loading and not storing, the choice of loading and storing or not loading and not storing to be determined by the said entity, the said modifications to the said interactive databases into the said original databases and/or said MIS in the said memory or storage medium of the said computer if the said second expected results or the results of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results was impact neutral to the said allowable strategic objective ranges.    
     
     
         37 . A device and system as recited in  claim 35  [c 35 ], wherein the said device and system comprises: 
 a. a means for receiving a range for the said allowable tradeoff threshold limit and loading and storing the said allowable tradeoff range in the said memory or storage medium of the said computer that contains or has access to the said entity's said databases and said MIS;    b. a means for accessing the said modifications to the said interactive databases and loading and storing the said modifications to the said interactive databases into the said original databases and/or said MIS in the said memory of the said computer if the said second expected results or the results of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results was an improvement to achieving the said strategic objective target value and if the said second expected tradeoff result or the result of the said comparison between the said first expected tradeoff result and the said second expected tradeoff result did not violate the said allowable tradeoff range;    c. a means for preventing the said modifications to the said interactive databases from being loaded and stored in the said original databases and/or the said MIS in the said memory of the said computer if the said second expected results or the results of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results was a detriment to achieving the said strategic objective target value or if the said second expected tradeoff result or the result of the said comparison between the said first expected tradeoff result and the said second expected tradeoff result violated the said allowable tradeoff range; and    d. a means for accessing the said modifications to the said interactive databases and either loading and storing or not loading and not storing, the choice of loading and storing or not loading and not storing to be determined by the said entity, the said modifications to the said interactive databases into the said original databases and/or said MIS in the said memory or storage medium of the said computer if the said second expected results or the results of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results was impact neutral to achieving the said strategic objective target range and if the said second expected tradeoff result or the results of the said comparison between the said first expected tradeoff result and the said second expected tradeoff result were impact neutral to the said allowable tradeoff range.    
     
     
         38 . A device and system as recited in  claim 35  [c 35 ], wherein the said device and system comprises: 
 a. a means for receiving an allowable range for the said strategic objective target value and loading and storing the said allowable strategic objective range in the said memory or storage medium of the said computer that contains or has access to the said entity's said databases and said MIS;    b. a means for receiving an allowable range for the said allowable tradeoff threshold limit and loading and storing the said allowable tradeoff range into the said memory or storage medium of the said computer that contains or has access to the said entity's said databases and said MIS;    c. a means for accessing the said modifications to the said interactive databases and loading and storing the said modifications to the said interactive databases into the said original databases and/or said MIS in the said memory or storage medium of the said computer if the said second expected results or the results of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results falls within the said allowable strategic objective range and if the said second expected tradeoff result or the results of the said comparison between the said first expected tradeoff result and the said second expected tradeoff result did not violate the said allowable tradeoff range;    d. a means for preventing the said modifications to the said interactive databases from being loaded and stored into the said original databases and/or said MIS in the said memory or storage medium of the said computer if the said second expected results or the results of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results falls outside of the said allowable strategic objective range or if the said second expected tradeoff result or the result of the said comparison between the said first expected tradeoff result and the said second expected tradeoff result violated the said allowable tradeoff range; and    e. a means for accessing the said modifications to the said interactive databases and either loading and storing or not loading and not storing, the choice of loading and storing or not loading and not storing to be determined by the said entity, the said modifications to the said interactive databases into the said original databases and/or said MIS in the said memory or storage medium of the said computer if the said second expected results or the results of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results was impact neutral to the said allowable strategic objective range and if the said second expected tradeoff result or the result of the said comparison between the said first expected tradeoff result and the said second expected tradeoff result was impact neutral to the said allowable tradeoff range.    
     
     
         39 . A device and system as recited in  claim 34  [c 34 ], wherein said device and system comprises: 
 a. a means for receiving, loading and storing in the said memory or storage medium of the said computer, different users and/or user levels for the said entity, and different authority levels associated to each said user, and/or said user level, said authority levels having associated with them an amount or magnitude of allowable strategic objective impact a said user or said user level is authorized to implement;    b. a means for loading and storing the said modifications to the said interactive databases in the said original databases and/or said MIS in the said memory or storage medium of the said computer if the said second expected results or the results of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results indicated improvements to achieving the said strategic objective target value and if the amount or magnitude of the said second expected results or the amount or magnitude of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results are within the said authority level of the said user or said user level as defined by the said allowable strategic objective impact;    c. a means for preventing the said modifications to the said interactive databases from being loaded and stored in the said original databases and/or said MIS in the said memory or storage medium of the said computer if the said second expected results or the results of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results was a detriment to achieving the said strategic objective target value or if the amount or magnitude of the said second expected results or the amount or magnitude of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results are not within the said authority level of the said user or said user level as defined by the said allowable strategic objective impact; and    d. a means for loading and storing or not loading and not storing, the choice of loading and storing or not loading and not storing to be determined by the said entity, the said modifications to the said interactive databases into the said original databases and/or the said MIS in the said memory or storage medium of the said computer if the said second expected results or the results of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results was impact neutral to achieving the said strategic objective target value and if the amount or magnitude of the said second expected results or the amount or magnitude of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results are impact neutral based upon the said allowable strategic objective impact associated with the said authority level of the said user or said user level.    
     
     
         40 . A device and system as recited in  claim 35  [c 35 ], wherein said device and system comprises: 
 a. a means for receiving, loading and storing in the said memory or storage medium of the said computer, different users and/or user levels for the said entity, and different authority levels associated to each said user, and/or said user level, said authority levels having associated with them an amount or magnitude of allowable strategic objective impact a said user or said user level is authorized to implement and an amount or magnitude of allowable tradeoff impact a said user or said user level is authorized to implement;    b. a means for loading and storing the said modifications to the said interactive databases into the said original databases and/or the said MIS in the said memory or storage medium of the said computer if the said second expected results or the results of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results was an improvement to achieving the said strategic objective target value and if the said second expected tradeoff result or the result of the said comparison between the said first expected tradeoff result and the said second expected tradeoff result did not violate the said allowable tradeoff threshold limit and if the amount or magnitude of the said second expected results or the amount or magnitude of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results are within the said authority level of the said user or said user level as defined by the said allowable strategic objective impact and if the amount or magnitude of the said second tradeoff result or the amount or magnitude of the said comparison between the said first tradeoff result and the said second tradeoff result was within the said authority level of the said user or said user level as defined by the said allowable tradeoff impact;    c. a means for preventing the said modifications to the said interactive databases from being loaded and stored into the said original databases and/or the said MIS in the said memory or storage medium of the said computer if the said second expected results or the result of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results was a detriment to achieving the said strategic objective target value or if the said second expected tradeoff result or the result of the said comparison between the said first expected tradeoff result and the said second expected tradeoff result violated the said allowable tradeoff threshold limit or if the amount or magnitude of the said second expected results or the amount or magnitude of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results are not within the said authority level of the said user or said user level as defined by the said allowable strategic objective impact or if the amount or magnitude of the said second tradeoff result or the amount or magnitude of the said comparison between the said first tradeoff result and the said second tradeoff result was not within the said authority level of the said user or said user level as defined by the said allowable tradeoff impact; and    d. a means for loading and storing or not loading and not storing, the choice of loading and storing or not loading and not storing to be determined by the said entity, the said modifications to the said interactive databases into the said original databases and/or the said MIS in the said memory or storage medium of the said computer if the said second expected results or the results of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results was impact neutral to achieving the said strategic objective target value and if the said second tradeoff result or the result of the said comparison between the said first expected tradeoff result and the said second expected tradeoff result was impact neutral to the said allowable tradeoff threshold limit and if the amount or magnitude of the said second expected results or the amount or magnitude of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results are impact neutral based upon the said allowable strategic objective impact associated with the said authority level of the said user or said user level and if the amount or magnitude of the said second tradeoff result or the amount or magnitude of the said comparison between the said first tradeoff result and the said second tradeoff result is impact neutral based upon the said allowable tradeoff impact associated with the said authority level of the said user or said user level.    
     
     
         41 . A device and system as recited in  claim 36  [c 36 ], wherein said device and system comprises: 
 a. a means for receiving, loading and storing in the said memory or storage medium of the said computer, different users and/or user levels for the said entity, and different authority levels associated to each said user, and/or said user level, said authority levels having associated with them an amount or magnitude of allowable strategic objective impact a said user or said user level is authorized to implement;    b. a means for accessing the said modifications to the said interactive databases and loading and storing the said modifications to the said interactive databases into the said original databases and/or said MIS in the said memory or storage medium of the said computer if the said second expected results or the results of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results falls within the said allowable strategic objective range and if the amount or magnitude of the said second expected results or the amount or magnitude of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results are within the said authority level of the said user or said user level as defined by the said allowable strategic objective impact;    c. a means for preventing the said modifications to the said interactive databases from being loaded and stored into the said original databases and/or the said MIS in the said memory or storage medium of the said computer if the said second expected results or the results of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results falls outside of the said allowable strategic objective range or if the amount or magnitude of the said second expected results or the amount or magnitude of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results are not within the said authority level of the said user or said user level as defined by the said allowable strategic objective impact; and    d. a means for loading and storing or not loading and not storing, the choice of loading and storing or not loading and not storing to be determined by the said entity, the said modifications to the said interactive databases into the said original databases and/or the said MIS in the said memory or storage medium of the said computer if the said second expected results or the results of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results are impact neutral to the said allowable strategic objective range and if the amount or magnitude of the said second expected results or the amount or magnitude of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results are impact neutral based upon the said allowable strategic objective impact associated with the said authority level of the said user or said user level.    
     
     
         42 . A device and system as recited in  claim 37  [c 37 ], wherein said device and system comprises: 
 a. a means for receiving, loading and storing in the said memory or storage medium of the said computer, different users and/or user levels for the said entity, and different authority levels associated to each said user, and/or said user level, said authority levels having associated with them an amount or magnitude of allowable strategic objective impact and an amount or magnitude of allowable tradeoff impact a said user or said user level is authorized to implement;    b. a means for accessing the said modifications to the said interactive databases and loading and storing the said modifications to the said interactive databases into the said original databases and/or said MIS in the said memory or storage medium of the said computer if the said second expected results or the results of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results was an improvement to achieving the said strategic objective target value and if the said second expected tradeoff result or the result of the said comparison between the said first expected tradeoff result and the said second expected tradeoff result did not violate the said allowable tradeoff range and if the amount or magnitude of the said second expected results or the amount or magnitude of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results was within said authority level of the said user or said user level as defined by the said allowable strategic objective impact and if the amount or magnitude of the said second expected tradeoff result or the amount or magnitude of the said comparison between the said first expected tradeoff result and the said second expected tradeoff result was within the said authority level of the said user or said user level as defined by the said allowable tradeoff impact;    c. a means for preventing the said modifications to the said interactive databases from being loaded and stored into the said original databases and/or said MIS in the said memory or storage medium of the said computer if the said second expected results or if the results of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results was a detriment to achieving the said strategic objective target value or if the said second expected tradeoff result or the result of the said comparison between the said first expected tradeoff result and the said second expected tradeoff result violated the said allowable tradeoff range or if the amount or magnitude of the said second expected results or the amount or magnitude of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results were not within the said authority level of the said user or said user level as defined by the said allowable strategic objective impact or if the amount or magnitude of the said second expected tradeoff result or the amount or magnitude of the said comparison between the said first expected tradeoff result and the said second expected tradeoff result was not within the said authority level of the said user or said user level as defined by the said allowable tradeoff impact; and    d. a means for accessing the said modifications to the said interactive databases and either loading and storing or not loading and not storing, the choice of loading and storing or not loading and not storing to be determined by the said entity, the said modifications to the said interactive databases into the said original databases and/or said MIS in the said memory or storage medium of the said computer if the said second expected results or the results of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results was impact neutral to the said strategic objective target value and if the said second expected tradeoff result or the result of the said comparison between the said first expected tradeoff result and the said second expected tradeoff result is impact neutral to the said allowable tradeoff range and if the amount or magnitude of the said second expected results or the amount or magnitude of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results are impact neutral based upon the said allowable strategic objective impact associated with the said authority level of the said user or said user level and if the amount or magnitude of the said second expected tradeoff result or the amount or magnitude of the said comparison between the said first expected tradeoff result and the said second expected tradeoff result is impact neutral based upon the said allowable tradeoff impact associated with the said authority level of the said user or said user level.    
     
     
         43 . A device and system as recited in  claim 38  [c 38 ], wherein said device and system comprises: 
 a. a means for receiving, loading and storing in the said memory or storage medium of the said computer, different users and/or user levels for the said entity, and different authority levels associated to each said user, and/or said user level, said authority levels having associated with them an amount or magnitude of allowable strategic objective impact and an amount or magnitude of allowable tradeoff impact a said user or said user level is authorized to implement;    b. a means for accessing the said modifications to the said interactive databases and loading and storing the said modifications to the said interactive databases into the said original databases and/or the said MIS in the said memory or storage medium of the said computer if the said second expected results or the results of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results falls within the said allowable strategic objective range and if the said second expected tradeoff result or the result of the said comparison between the said first expected tradeoff result and the said second expected tradeoff result did not violate the said allowable tradeoff range and if the amount or magnitude of the said second expected results or the amount or magnitude of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results are within the said authority level of the said user or said user level as defined by the said allowable strategic objective impact and if the amount or magnitude of the said second expected tradeoff result or the amount or magnitude of the said comparison between the said first expected tradeoff result and the said second expected tradeoff result was within the said authority level of the said user or said user level as defined by the said allowable tradeoff impact;    c. a means for preventing the said modifications to the said interactive databases from being loaded and stored into the said original databases and/or the said MIS in the said memory or storage medium of the said computer if the said second expected results or the results of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results falls outside of the said allowable strategic objective range or if the said second expected tradeoff result or the result of the said comparison between the said first expected tradeoff result and the said second expected tradeoff result violated the said allowable tradeoff range or if the amount or magnitude of the said second expected results or the amount or magnitude of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results are not within the said authority level of the said user or said user level as defined by the said allowable strategic objective impact or if the amount or magnitude of the said second expected tradeoff result or the amount or magnitude of the said comparison between the said first expected tradeoff result and the said second expected tradeoff result was not within the said authority level of the said user or said user level as defined by the said allowable tradeoff impact; and    d. a means for accessing the said modifications to the said interactive databases and either loading and storing or not loading and not storing, the choice of loading and storing or not loading and not storing to be determined by the said entity, the said modifications to the said interactive databases into the said original databases and/or the said MIS in the said memory or storage medium of the said computer if the said second expected results or the results of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results was impact neutral to the said allowable strategic objective range and if the said second expected tradeoff result or the result of the said comparison between the said first expected tradeoff result and the said second expected tradeoff result was impact neutral to the said allowable tradeoff range and if the amount or magnitude of the said second expected results or the amount or magnitude of the said comparison between the said first expected results and the said second expected results are impact neutral based upon the said allowable strategic objective impact associated with the said authority level of the said user or said user level and if the amount or magnitude of the said second expected tradeoff result or the amount or magnitude of the said comparison between the said first expected tradeoff result and the said second expected tradeoff result are impact neutral based upon the said allowable tradeoff impact associated with the said authority level of the said user or said user level.    
     
     
         44 . A device and system as in one of claims  34  through  43  [c 34 ][c 35 ] [c 36 ][c 37 ][c 38 ][c 39 ][c 40 ][c 41 ][c 42 ][c 43 ], wherein said device and system comprises a means in which the said modifications to the said original databases are tracked by each said user, and said improvements and detriments to said strategic objective target values and/or said tradeoff limits are used to tangibly evaluate said user's performance and/or used to compensate and/or reward the said user for supporting the said strategic objective of the said entity.